2. INTRODUCTION/FUNDAMENTALS OF M&E
Introduction
Course Objectives
Define monitoring
Define evaluation
Describe the types of monitoring and evaluation
Understand the relationship between monitoring and
evaluation
Define key terminologies used in M&E
Understand the purpose of M&E
3. MONITORING AND EVALUATION
A process of obtaining information and using it to
make an assessment that can improve future decisions
and actions
M&E can include assessment of such general project
outcomes such as:
Habit change
Population trends
Community awareness
Community involvement
4. What is monitoring ?
The regular collection and analysis of information to
assist timely decision making, ensure accountability
and provide the basis for evaluation and learning
A continuing function that uses methodical collection
of data to provide management and the main
stakeholders of ongoing project or program with early
indicators of progress and achievements of objectives
Tracking the key elements of program/project
performance on a regular basis (inputs, activities,
results)
5. Types of monitoring
Implementation monitoring
-provides information about whether we are doing
what we said we are going to do
-Tracks the inputs, activities and outputs in annual or
multilayer work plan
Effectiveness/results based/ outcome monitoring
- provides information about how well the goals and
expectations are being met
Tracks achievement of outcomes and impact
6. What is Evaluation ?
It is a rigorous, scientifically-based collection of
information about programme, activities,
characteristics and outcomes that determine the merit
or worth of a specific programme
It is a time-bound exercise that attempts to assess
systematically and objectively the relevance,
performance and success of programs and actions
Evaluation is not a one time event but involves
assessment of different scope and depth carried out at
several points in time in response to evolving needs for
evaluative knowledge and learning during the effort to
achieve an outcome
7. Types of Evaluation
Process evaluation
It consists of two parts- Context evaluation and implementation
evaluation;
1) Context evaluation
Assesses the impact of context and environment on the
implementation and performance of the project
Should answer questions such as :
-do your stakeholders and partners help or hinder the achievement
of your project goals?
-does the level of readiness of the target audience affect the
performance of the project? what external factors have had a
negative effect on the performance of the project?
8. Types of Evaluation Cont.
2) Implementation evaluation
Examines the procedures and tasks involved in
implementing a program
Monitors the program to ensure feedback during the
course of the program
Answers the questions what happened and why? What
are the most critical components necessary for success
of the project? Which ones are hindering success
9. Types of Evaluation Cont.
Formative evaluation (pre-implementation
assessment)
- designed to assess the strengths and weaknesses or
materials or campaign strategies before implementation
-permits necessary revisions before the full effort goes
forward
Outcome evaluation
Used to obtain descriptive data on a project and to
document short-term results
Short-term results describe the immediate effect of the
project on the target audience
10. Types of Evaluation Cont.
Impact evaluation
- Focuses on the long-range results of the program and
changes or improvements as a result
- It attempts to find out the changes that occurred and
to what they can be attributed
- Has two distinct stage;
Measurement of a positive or negative change for the
target population-related to the projects overall
development goal
Determine whether this change was caused by the
project
11. Types of Evaluation Cont.
Summative evaluation
- Any combination measurements and judgments that
permit conclusions to be drawn about impact,
outcome or benefits of a program or method
Meta evaluation
- can be used to summarize trends and generate
confidence or caution in instances when a number of
evaluations have already been conducted on one or
similar initiatives
12. Types of Evaluation Cont.
Product evaluation
- Helps determine the overall quality of the project, as
well as the client satisfaction and the resulting demand
for the products and services produced
- May answer questions such as: which
services/products produced were most /least
successful in terms of quality and client satisfaction
and why?
13. Characteristics of Quality evaluation
Impartiality- free of deliberate distortion
Usefulness- relevant, timely
Technical adequacy- information gathering and
analysis procedure should meet relevant standards
Feedback and dissemination- should be carried out in
an appropriate, targeted and timely manner
Value for money- cost of evaluation should be
proportional to the cost of initiative
14. Roles of M&E
Monitoring and evaluation are closely related concepts
Monitoring does not replace evaluation
Monitoring and evaluation are distinct but
complimentary
Good monitoring is the foundation for good
evaluation because it creates a repository of data and
other information aimed at assisting evaluators
15. Complementary roles of M&E
The evaluation function here moves beyond “after the
fact approach”
Sequential complementarity
- Monitoring information can be used to generate
questions that can be answered by evaluation
Information complementarity- both monitoring and
evaluation can use the same data but pose different
questions
Interactional complementarity- Managers using
monitoring and evaluation in tandem to direct
initiatives
16. Class Discussion
Discuss the concept of M&E as applied in your
organization i.e
How is M&E undertaken
Who facilitates data collection
How often is M&E carried in your organization
How has M&E helped your organization